Wings with Wheels take on the Race to the Clouds

Jun 3

At the dawn of the annual Pikes Peak Hill Climb, Ford and Hyundai have unveiled their Challengers for the historic event.

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is an annual automobile and motorcycle hill climb to the summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado, USA. The event challenges drivers to navigate a 12.42-mile (19.99 km) course with 156 turns, starting at an elevation of 9,390 feet (2,862 meters) and finishing at the 14,115-foot (4,302 meters) summit. The race is renowned for its dramatic elevation changes and unpredictable weather conditions, which add to the challenge and thrill for participants and spectators alike. It hosts a diverse array of vehicles and some of the best drivers and riders from around the world, all competing against the clock in a bid for the fastest time on the board. Due to the high amounts of grip demanded by the nature of the climb, competitors often prioritize downforce to ensure optimum aerodynamic grip and driver confidence. This pursuit of downforce has historically resulted in the creation of some extraordinary looking cars. Given the images you are about to see, it is fair to say that the list has been expanded this year.

This is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Time Attack (TA), and it expands upon the performance trajectory initiated by the Ioniq 5 N. To the relief of fellow pedestrians, this Ioniq is not homologated for road use. Regardless, even in the company of purpose-built race cars, this hatchback ought to stand out. The aggressive aero kit is specially designed for the demands of Pikes Peak, however, Hyundai has not yet expanded upon the details. What we do know is that the TA has a battery pack identical to that of the production car, but with software adjustments, the motors now produce a total output of 678 horsepower.

The advantage that EVs enjoy over combustion engine cars is the consistent power delivery, independent of oxygen availability. The lower oxygen portion at higher altitude hampers the combustion in ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) cars, explaining the transition towards electrical propulsion at Pikes Peak. Ford, too, has taken notes on the EV+Downforce method.

Following the lines of last year's absurd electric Supervan, Ford continues to take the radical approach to fast lap times at Colorado. This, indeed, is an actual image of Ford's Pikes Peak challenger: the F-150 Lightning SuperTruck EV. Unquestionably, the main topic of interest is the rear wing, which Ford says should help the SuperTruck produce 6000 lbs (2722 kg) of total downforce at 150 mph. For context, F1 cars are said to produce around 3500 lbs (1600 kg) of downforce at 150 mph. Perhaps not the most appropriate comparison, but just helps to visualize the extent of the downforce generated by the SuperTruck.

While the SuperTruck has not yet been officially unveiled, this camouflage leaves little to the imagination. We are expecting the grand reveal to be later this month, just before the climb on the 23rd.

Front Wing endplate of the Ford F150 SuperTruck EV

Yash Stalin

Yashwanth (Yash) Stalin has been sincerely passionate about cars for as long as he can remember. What began as a childhood hobby of simply naming cars on the road has grown into a career-defining passion. Inspired by years of consuming countless articles and videos, his love for cars evolved into a desire to write his own material and help others in the way those articles helped him. This ambition led to the creation of HEEL & TOE, through which he channels his enthusiasm and knowledge, providing readers with informative content about the automotive industry.

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